Friday, November 18, 2005

The Shrinking Uncity, Part Two

As a follow up to yesterday’s post about the rush of new city incorporation efforts, here is a recent story about the Fair Oaks/Orangevale/Gold River effort.

Fair Oaks to study cityhood feasibilityBy Lakiesha McGhee -- Bee Staff Writer Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, November 17, 2005A citizens committee is stepping up its efforts to determine if Fair Oaks - a community of about 29,000 people - can operate as a city and possibly merge with neighboring Orangevale and Gold River.

Members last week said they are requesting proposals from six consultants to conduct a feasibility study that will identify potential barriers to Fair Oaks cityhood, such as costs and revenue sources, boundary issues, and effects on Sacramento County and other local governments. The committee has set a Jan. 16 deadline to receive proposals.

"I'm pushing for the feasibility study to get started as soon as we can," member Jim Purcell said Wednesday night at a community meeting.

The committee plans to file for nonprofit status to raise funds to pay for the initial feasibility study and a following comprehensive fiscal analysis of the proposed incorporation.

Feasibility studies generally cost about $30,000 and can take at least six months to complete, Purcell said. Committee members said they will seek donations from organizations, special districts and cities that may be supportive of their cause.

The Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce, which has sponsored the committee's monthly meetings, has not been formally approached to help finance a study, chamber past president Joe Spagnoli said at the meeting. However, the chamber has a political action committee to raise funds for the study if it chooses to do so, he said.

During the past six months, the volunteer committee has weighed the potential benefits and pitfalls of incorporating Fair Oaks and meshing with Orange-vale and Gold River under a borough system like the one used in New York City.

The goal: Maintain community identity and keep tax dollars and fees paid by residents within their respective communities.

This blog is part of the ongoing work of the American River Parkway Preservation Society to provide public education and advocacy around public policy issues that may be related to the Parkway and the adjacent communities along the American River in Sacramento, California.